Gaming device for a flat rate play session and a method of operating same

• US 7,140,964 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2001
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Sparico, Thomas M., Fincham, Magdalena M., Santisi, Steven M., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Walker, Jay S., Gilman, Norman C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coburn, Corbett B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCULLOCH JR, WILLIAM H
• Application Number:
  US10/001,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20020147040A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,852 Days
• Field of Search: 463 25- 28, 463 16- 21, 273/138.2, 273/143.R, 700/90, 700 91- 92
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine

Abstract

The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. The gaming device identifies price parameters and determines the flat rate price of playing the gaming device based on those price parameters. Once the player initiates play, the gaming device tracks the duration remaining in the flat rate play session and stops the play when the given period has elapsed. In accordance with one embodiment, a player may enter into a contract, wherein the contract specifies the flat rate play session as described above.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor in communication with the storage device,

the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

determine a flat rate price for a flat rate play session of a pre-established number of plays with a gaming device, said flat rate price being based upon at least one price parameter; and

cause authorization of said flat rate play session upon receiving an indication of payment of said flat rate price.

2. A medium encoded with a program for implementing a method, said program for directing a device to perform the steps of:

determining a flat rate price for a flat rate play session of a pre-established number of plays with a gaming device, said flat rate price being based upon at least one price parameter; and

causing authorization of said flat rate play session upon receiving an indication of payment of said flat rate price.

3. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor in communication with the storage device,

the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

establish a flat rate price for a flat rate play session of a pre-established duration with a gaming device, said flat rate price being based upon at least one price parameter; and

initiate said flat rate play session upon receiving an indication of payment of said flat rate price.

4. A medium encoded with a program for implementing a method, said program for directing a device to perform the steps of:

establishing a flat rate price for a flat rate play session of a pre-established duration with a gaming device, said flat rate price being based upon at least one price parameter; and

initiating said flat rate play session upon receiving an indication of payment of said flat rate price.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor in communication with the storage device,

the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

identify at least one price parameter;

determine a flat rate price for a flat rate play session of a pre-established number of winning plays with a gaming device, said flat rate price being based upon said price parameter; and

initiate said flat rate play session upon receiving an indication of payment of said flat rate price.

6. A medium encoded with a program for implementing a method, said program for directing a device to perform the steps of:

identifying at least one price parameter;

determining a flat rate price for a flat rate play session of a pre-established number of winning plays with a gaming device, said flat rate price being based upon said price parameter; and

initiating said flat rate play session upon receiving an indication of payment of said flat rate price.

7. A method for facilitating a flat rate price of a flat rate play session, comprising:

determining, via a processor of a computing device, at least one of a player selected price parameter and an operator price parameter;

determining a flat rate price based at least on at least one of the at least one player selected price parameter and the at least one operator price parameter; and

performing at least one of collecting payment of said flate rate price and authorizing payment of said flat rate price to be collected.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the player selected price parameter comprises any game variable that defines the flat rate session and that is selected by a player.

9. The method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the operator price parameter comprises a parameter which an operator of a gaming device selects as affecting the flat rate price.

10. The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the step of determining the flat rate price comprises:

calculating a flat rate price based on (i) an expected coin in and (ii) an expected payback percentage that is based on which pay combinations are active for the flat rate play session.

11. The method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the step of calculating comprises:

multiplying the expected coin in by the expected payback percentage.

12. The method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the expected coin in comprises:

a monetary amount that a gaming device would collect in conventional play of the gaming device for a number of plays comprising a duration of the flat rate play session.

13. The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of play wherein the player need not make funds available for an individual play during the game session.

14. The method in accordance with claim 7, further comprising the step of:

displaying the determined flat rate price.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising:

receiving an acceptance of the displayed flat rate price from a player; and

initiating a flat rate play session based on at least one of the at least one player selected price parameter and the at least one operator price parameter.

16. The method in accordance with claim 7, further comprising:

determining at least one term of a contract for a flat rate play session based at least on at least one of the at least one player selected price parameter and the at least one operator price parameter, wherein the at least one term includes the determined flat rate price; and

presenting the at least one term of the contract to a player.

17. The method in accordance with claim 16, further comprising:

receiving an acceptance of the at least one term of the contract from the player;

thereby entering into a contract for a flat rate play session with the player; and

receiving payment from the player for the flat rate price of the contract.

18. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor in communication with the storage device,

the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to perform a method for facilitating a flat rate price of a flat rate play session, comprising;

determining, via a processor of a computing device, at least one of a player selected price parameter and an operator price parameter;

determining a flat rate price based at least on at least one of the at least one player selected price parameter and the at least one operator price parameter; and

performing at least one of collecting payment of said flat rate price and authorizing payment of said flat rate price to be collected.

19. A medium encoded with a program for implementing a method, said program for directing a device to perform the steps of a method for facilitating a flat rate price of a flat rate play session, comprising:

determining, via a processor of a computing device, at least one of a player selected price parameter and an operator price parameter;

determining a flat rate price based at least on at least one of the at least one player selected price parameter and the at least one operator price parameter; and

performing at least one of collecting payment of said flat rate price and authorizing payment of said flat rate price to be collected.

20. An article of manufacture for use in initiating a flat rate play session, comprising:

an article of manufacture that, when inserted into a gaming device, allows a flat rate play session to be initiated on the gaming device,

wherein a rule of the flat rate play session entitles a player associated with the flat rate play session to be paid for any losses incurred during the flat rate play session.

21. The article of manufacture of claim 20, comprising at least one of a casino token, a player slot card, and a smart card.

22. The article of manufacture of claim 20, wherein the article of manufacture is associated with at least one price parameter of a flat rate play session.

23. The article of manufacture of claim 22, wherein the at least one price parameter comprises at least one of a particular number of outcomes, a specified number of winning outcomes, a specified duration of time, and a flat rate price package.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 22, further comprising an identifier readable by a gaming device such that when the article of manufacture is inserted into the gaming device the gaming device can retrieve the associated at least one price parameter of the flat rate play session.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 22 comprising an article of manufacture that, when inserted into a gaming device, initiates a flat rate play session in accordance with the at least one price parameter of the flat rate play session.